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My Westie Smells Awful!?

Last October we got our first dog; a Westie. He's a very good dog but has this strong body odor. The research I've done says it's not good to bathe them too often as they have sensitive skin, but we really need to find a way to help with the smell. He's become quite a lap dog and likes to lay next to you on the couch but now my couch smells awful as well. I currently get him groomed about once a month. And have given him a bath with gentle puppy shampoo about halfway between the groomings, but he smells again within a day or two. His is neutered. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
He is a year old and I feed him Blue Seal Simple 21 dry food, we switched from Iams. He has been to the vet for all his shots and neutering but I didn't think to ask her about the odor because I assumed it would go away after he was neutered. His groomer says it's normal and she sees nothing that makes her think he is ill and that it's just a strong BO. Thanks for the advice so far and I will be trying some of the suggestions!!!

There are so many possibilities.

First, consider the smell…Is it doggy odor or a really foul stinky gaggy smell… If it's the 2nd, then most likely his anal glands need emptying.

If you need to know how…Check this link:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai.oYJg7ccj2d4rEgnNrJJnty6IX?qid=20070802032928AADfwCH&show=7#profile-info-a4120c9fcceda14a8a37a888432006b7aa

… If he smells funky like a strong doggy odor, first thing to do is check his skin for any scabs, sores or dry spots…

Then, check his ears for any discharge…And smell them. Do his ears smell ok? Remember, he's a dog so he won't smell like a flower but the thing you're looking for is a sickly or musky odor.

Check his paws and tail too!

Another thing to think about… What do you feed this doggy? If you feed a food like Canidae or Innova you probably don't have anything to worry about… BUT if you feed him Nutro or Science Diet or even Royal Canin, he could be having problems with allergies to the corn, wheat, beef and other by-products in those foods. Try giving him about a 1/4 cup of plain yogurt… It'll help him digest better too.

I have a 9 month old Westie and she gets weekly baths. I use DVM Tearless shampoo:

http://www.healthypets.com/dvmtearshamb.html

and this moisturizer by Virbac called Humilac:

http://www.petrx.com/browseproducts/Humilac-Spray-8-oz..html

I've never had a problem with her skin. When she starts getting stinky or a little oily, i sprinkle her with cornstarch and brush her out… It works really well. Some people like to use baby powder but I hate the smell!

NEVER use a perfume or scented spray on the dog…It could irritate the problem.

Good luck with your dog!

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This entry was posted on Friday, July 11th, 2008 at 2:14 pm and is filed under Westie Grooming. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • stephy

    get her doggie perfume. It's called Nova Pearls. It smells pretty good and might take care of her odor. also you might try changing her diet. if you are feeding her people food sometimes that can have a negative affect such as a bad body odor.
    References :

  • Boopsie

    Try mixing a tablespoon of yogurt into his food on a daily basis…worked for our Pug…
    References :

  • kris10nchains

    Go to petsmart or petco or online

    http://www.lambertkay.com/products/prod_results.aspx?Prod_ID=14

    and try the OATMEAL & BAKING SODA shampoo & conditioner. This stuff smells like DOWNY and the smell lasts at least a week. They also make a cologne/deodorant for in between grooms & baths. It cost under 10 dollars and is great smelling stuff that lasts. I use this in my salon and my customer love it!!!
    References :
    Groomer 17 yrs

  • awakekat
  • stacy g

    Well first off his skin should be looked at to see if he has sores or anything like dandruff. If so he needs to go to the vet he might have a case of dermatitis. I am a groomer and some of my clients dogs just smell and I use a peroxide mixture and it usually helps with this problem. I also recommend the dog be bathed once a week with a dandruff relief shampoo Head and Shoulders will do. The Peroxide remedy can be used in conjunction with the head and shoulders. The mixture is 1 pint peroxide , 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 tsp shampoo, use sponge to sponge on all over the body and let sit 5 minutes rinse then bathe as usual and dry your dog well after bath. Ask your groomer what size blade they are using on your dog and if it is a 10 or 7 ask them to go to like a 5 or 4 since your dog is done regularly. Good luck.
    References :

  • Laura

    I don't know what the odor is, but a yeast infection is pretty smelly.

    Please take him to the vet.

    Thank you !
    References :

  • Michelle

    There are so many possibilities.

    First, consider the smell…Is it doggy odor or a really foul stinky gaggy smell… If it's the 2nd, then most likely his anal glands need emptying.

    If you need to know how…Check this link:

    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai.oYJg7ccj2d4rEgnNrJJnty6IX?qid=20070802032928AADfwCH&show=7#profile-info-a4120c9fcceda14a8a37a888432006b7aa

    … If he smells funky like a strong doggy odor, first thing to do is check his skin for any scabs, sores or dry spots…

    Then, check his ears for any discharge…And smell them. Do his ears smell ok? Remember, he's a dog so he won't smell like a flower but the thing you're looking for is a sickly or musky odor.

    Check his paws and tail too!

    Another thing to think about… What do you feed this doggy? If you feed a food like Canidae or Innova you probably don't have anything to worry about… BUT if you feed him Nutro or Science Diet or even Royal Canin, he could be having problems with allergies to the corn, wheat, beef and other by-products in those foods. Try giving him about a 1/4 cup of plain yogurt… It'll help him digest better too.

    I have a 9 month old Westie and she gets weekly baths. I use DVM Tearless shampoo:
    http://www.healthypets.com/dvmtearshamb.html
    and this moisturizer by Virbac called Humilac:
    http://www.petrx.com/browseproducts/Humilac-Spray-8-oz..html
    I've never had a problem with her skin. When she starts getting stinky or a little oily, i sprinkle her with cornstarch and brush her out… It works really well. Some people like to use baby powder but I hate the smell!

    NEVER use a perfume or scented spray on the dog…It could irritate the problem.

    Good luck with your dog!
    References :
    owner of a 9 month old Westie

  • Jocelyn7777

    Food that goes in causes odors that come out… What goes in… comes out.

    If you aren't feeding a high quality food, then most likely, this is your problem. I always recommend feeding a food that is grain free, since grains cause all sorts of health issues in dogs. (grains are: wheat, corn, rice, barley, beet pulp, etc.)

    I recommend trying a food like Evo, and you will be amazed at the change in your dog.

    http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp

    Personally, I feed my dogs a raw prey model diet. They have no dog odor, no dog breath, etc. Most people can't/won't feed raw, and Evo is the next best thing.

    Good luck.
    References :
    http://www.rawmeatybones.com
    http://www.rawfed.com/myths
    http://www.rawlearning.com
    http://www.rawfeddogs.net

    http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/

    http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp

  • Michelle

    Check with your vet. Food, skin irritation, anal glands, allergies. Also common with small breeds are dental problems, since you didn't mention his age. Ears can stink pretty badly, too, so go ahead and get the full once over from the vet. Hopefully it's something easy, like changing food or getting his anal glands done every few weeks.
    References :

  • Sherry J

    It is quite possibly a canine yeast infection – usually cured with steroids – NOT antibiotics
    References :